FOOD FOR FINES: DECEMBER 14-JANUARY 2
Start the year 2010 free of fines. For every canned/boxed item you bring to the library, we will reduce your fine by $1.00. These non-perishable items will then be given to the local food pantry to replenish their shelves.

GIVING TREE
With the holidays approaching, please consider the “Gift of Reading” by donating a new or gently used book and placing it under our GIVING TREE. Book donations are being sought for boys and girls in the following age categories: 0-5, 6-9, and 13-16, with the greatest need in the 13-16 category. Books which are donated will be wrapped by library staff and patrons and will be picked up by the Pigeon Area Food Pantry in time to be delivered to children in time for Christmas. December 14th is the last day for book donations for the Giving Tree.

STORY HOUR
“Christmas” will be the theme on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. Usually one half-hour session is held for Lap-Sit Story Time each Tuesday at 10:00 AM with parent and child attending the Story Time and Pre-School Story Hour is held each Tuesday at 10:30 AM. In both sessions, children listen to stories and participate in finger plays, songs and crafts. There is no cost for this service and new families are always welcome. For more information, please call the library at 453-2341 and ask for Jane Himmel.

HOLIDAY DVD RENTALS
From December 21 to January 2, patrons can rent DVDs at half-price for the holiday season. The rental period is still 2 days for a new DVD rental, and 3 days for DVDs that have been in our collection 90 days or more.

COFFEE TIME AT THE LIBRARY
Hot coffee, cocoa, and tea are available on Thursdays in the Reference Room of the library. Come and relax with a cup of coffee, cocoa, or tea while reading the newspaper or visiting with fellow readers.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
When the weather outside gets frightful, please call the library or listen to WLEW to make sure the library will be open for your reading needs.

UPCOMING DECEMBER ACTIVITIES
December 10: Free Movie 4:30 PM
“Night at the Museum-Battle of the Smithsonian” Rated: PG
December 17: “HAWG” Huron Area Writers Group meets at 7:00 PM in the
library’s Community Room.
December 18: Adult Christmas Movie 10:00 AM
“White Christmas”
Refreshments will be served.
December 21: Kids’ Christmas movie “Merry Madagascar” and
Christmas Cookie decorating 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
December 24: Library Closes at Noon.
December 25: Library is closed for Christmas Day
December 28: Game Time for Children-All Ages
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Snack provided.
Some of the games available-Scrabble Slam Card Game, Monopoly Deal Card Game, Pictureka! Card Game, Pictureka! Board Game, Twister, Memory Card Games for the younger children, Chutes and Ladders Board Game, Candy Land Board Game, several other games will be available for children to try out.
December 31: Library Closes at Noon.
January 1, 2010: Library is closed for New Year’s Day

BOOKPAGE
The December 2009 issue of BookPage has arrived and can be found in the library’s Information Center. “A monthly general interest book review, BookPage covers the best in new releases. BookPage typically reviews up to 100 of each month’s new fiction, nonfiction, business, children’s, audio, and how-to books. The tone is upbeat and literate, focusing on bestsellers as well as new discoveries.” BookPage can also be accessed through the internet at www.bookpage.com.

CIRCULATION
Circulation for the month of November 2009 was 3,418 items, including 1,639 Books, 17 Cameras and Toys, 3 Discovery Packs, 299 DVD Rentals, 422 Videos, 105 Non-Fiction Videos and DVDs, 121 Audio and CD, 56 Periodicals, 248 Internet Users, 16 Puzzles, and 543 New Materials Check-Outs. Inter-loan statistics included 227 items borrowed and 355 items loaned to other libraries through the Valley Library Consortium. From the MeLCat library system 79 items were borrowed and 26 items loaned and on the Peabody system 5 items were loaned to other libraries. Income received included $139.15 from Copier, $232.00 from Fines, $66.00 from Faxes. Four Story Hours were held with 44 in attendance. Twenty-four registrations for the month included: Caseville 4, Fairhaven 3, McKinley 1, Oliver 7, and Winsor 9.